Gardai slam culture within ‘divided’ force

Independent audit reveals anger among officers

The country’s 13,000-plus officers attacked the organisation in an independently compiled Cultural Audit.

Sources have said the document, circulated internally, identified the force is riddled with selfish management and a divided unequal culture of nepotism and fear of reprisal if they spoke honestly.

The audit was conducted by PWC Ireland in the wake of a move to reform the culture within the organisation.

A source said: “This is the first time anything has been laid down that shows the true extent and causes of the low morale in An Garda Siochana.

“The audit makes for stark reading for high-level management – gardai are not happy about their working environment and you can clearly see that there are significant problems.

“One of the key issues is centred around a toxic management atmosphere in which there is one rule for well connected people and another for the drones doing the work who have no connections.”

Sources have said other key findings are that gardai are “completely committed to their units and colleagues they work with” but do not hold senior management in high esteem. A source explained: “The audit said as well that guards have plenty of courage to intervene in situations but are scared to speak up because it will affect their careers.

“It also found nepotism is a huge problem, that so-called arse covering and box ticking is more important than making a difference.

“It also found young gardai do not have adequate mentoring as there are simply not enough experienced people to help them.”

Sources have said senior management met in recent days to discuss the findings of the report and to come up with a strategy to change.

Separately the Garda Representative Association is to meet tomorrow to discuss the audit’s findings.

Spokesman John O’keeffe said: “The GRA are set to examine the document and will shortly prepare our response to it.”

An Garda Siochana were contacted for a statement.

You can clearly see there are significant problems there

SOURCE TALKING ABOUT report YESTERDAY